After living in Australia for a while, I’ve found a new understanding of people through my relationships with others in Sydney.
I’ve found that Australians are more likely to want a causal relationship rather than a strong connection with someone like me – I am impermanent in Australia and eventually leaving with no idea of when I’ll be back – not someone that they would put a lot of effort into creating a friendship with. To an Aussie my perspective as someone from the US makes me intriguing, and we both want to learn more from each other. I’ve found casual friendships with Australians that are based on kindness and mutual interest in the way each other lives and each other’s countries in my time here. I’ve learned so much about Australia through creating these new relationships.
I found that others who are studying abroad also are looking for lifelong friendships. I’ve made several friends through experiences and courses that are based on a mutual curiosity about the world – the urge to see new places and learn about other cultures. I’ve met people from Europe, Asia, and America with this same mentality and formed some amazing new friendships based on that desire to see and learn as much as possible.
I’ve also found that the workplace here is different than that I expect of a similar workplace back in the US. I was granted an internship with the University of Sydney Football Club as a marketing & communications intern through a class at USYD offered to international students. In my time working for the rugby club I’ve found that there is a stronger work-life balance in Australia. There is an emphasis placed on working to live, not living to work like it sometimes feels like we do in the US. One of the times I truly felt this was when I asked my manager if it was ok if I missed our normal meeting one week so that I could go to Melbourne, he told me to enjoy myself and gave me recommendations for things to do, rather than being frustrated I would be unable to work as I’ve seen in the US. People tend to understand that there is more to creating a life than just one thing, and it is an emergent property made of things such as career, friendships, passions, and so many other things.
During my time in Sydney, I’ve also found some of the most caring locals while exploring, and a genuine kindness that runs through the city.